"The Stack" 11-18-16
The Panthers built a big lead, but once again struggled to put their opponent away. This time though they were able to hang on and beat the Saints 23-20 on TNF.
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are down and the criticism they are getting and perhaps a slight divide in the locker room are not helping matters. Can they turn it around in Washington on Sunday?
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
It’s a Football Friday and The Stack is here with our weekly preview and predictions for the upcoming week in the NFL. We’re braving the blizzard up here in the northern plains and apparently it is already hurting my judgement as I picked the Saints last night. They lost 23-20 to the Panthers. Have to climb out of an 0-1 hole so let’s get right to the preview and predictions for week 11 in the NFL in “the stack” for today, Friday, November 18th:
Buffalo Bills @ Cincinnati Bengals 1 PM ET FOX
If this game was in Buffalo, I would take the Bills. They have had two weeks to prepare for the Bengals. This will be the first Bengals home game in Cincinnati in a month though and there will be a sense of desperation with this team. A.J. Green makes a big play late and the Bengals get the victory.
Prediction: Bengals 24 Bills 20
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns 1 PM ET CBS
The Steelers have been struggling and scuffling along the past few games. Know what cures that? Playing the Browns. The Browns will win a game here at some point, I think, this season. This week will not be that game.
Prediction: Steelers 31 Browns 17
Baltimore Ravens @ Dallas Cowboys 1 PM ET CBS
Former Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis recently came out and said Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco lacks passion for football. Well if those words fire Flacco up, the Ravens have a shot at beating the Cowboys on Sunday. But Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott will continue to roll and the Cowboys will get their tenth straight win.
Prediction: Cowboys 28 Ravens 20
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Detroit Lions 1 PM ET CBS
What a disappointment the Jaguars are this season. I mean how could I have picked them to win the AFC South? For the record I did say they would tie with the Houston Texans at 9-7 so it isn’t like I said they would run away with the division. Against a Lions team coming off of a bye and finding themselves in first place in the NFC North, I don’t see the Jaguars getting off of the losing skid this week.
Prediction: Lions 31 Jaguars 16
Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts 1 PM ET CBS
Did you see the way the Titans steamrolled over the Packers last week? They are playing some great football right now. I know Andrew Luck and the Colts already beat them once and have had two weeks to prepare, but I am not going to pick against the Titans if the Titans choose to come into Indy and play like they did last week down in Nashville against the Pack.
Prediction: Titans 27 Colts 23
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Kansas City Chiefs 1 PM ET FOX
I think the Chiefs just like to come from behind and win games. That’s what they ‘ve done several times this season. Jameis Winston has a tendency to throw interceptions. He’ll throw at least two in this game and the Chiefs will win comfortably at Arrowhead.
Prediction: Chiefs 26 Buccaneers 16
Arizona Cardinals @ Minnesota Vikings 1 PM ET FOX
Both teams have been off this season and have looked bad at times. The Vikings have looked really bad over the last month. They can’t run the ball. Their offensive line is in shambles and the defense has looked mediocre. Head coach Mike Zimmer said that he’s going to go back to coaching “my way.” OK, then Zim. Let’s see your way. Stop David Johnson and force a couple of Carson Palmer picks and the Vikings will be on their way to stopping that losing streak. Oh and did I mention no Blair Walsh? Make all of your damn kicks Kai Forbath!
Prediction: Vikings 24 Cardinals 20
Chicago Bears @ New York Giants 1 PM ET FOX
This seems just the sort of game that the Giants will lose. The Bears are without Alshon Jeffrey suspended for four games for PEDs, tackle Kyle Long is out for the season and they just got trounced last week in Tampa. Seems like the perfect time for Eli Manning to throw three interceptions. He won’t though. He better not. They are my eliminator pick of the week.
Prediction: Giants 31 Bears 10
Miami Dolphins @ Los Angeles Rams 4:05 PM ET FOX
Rams fans get their first chance to see Jared Goff on Sunday. There will be some bumps along the way, actually his first start will be plenty bumpy. The Dolphins stayed in SoCal this week after beating the Chargers last week. No jet lag or anything with them. The defense will be blitzing Goff like crazy and will win this win.
Prediction: Dolphins 20 Rams 10
Philadelphia Eagles @ Seattle Seahawks 4:25 PM ET CBS
After beating the Patriots in New England last week, are the Seahawks prime for a letdown? I don’t think so. The Eagles are not quite Jekyll and Hyde, but they do play much better at home than they do on the road. In that environment, Carson Wentz is going to realize what it was like for opposing quarterbacks to play in the Fargodome during this game with how loud it is going to be.
Prediction: Seahawks 30 Eagles 17
New England Patriots @ San Francisco 49ers 4:25 PM ET CBS
Tom Brady returns home to the Bay Area. Even if Gronk doesn’t play, I see no reason for Patriots fans to worry playing this terrible 49ers team. Patriots will run away with it.
Prediction: Patriots 38 49ers 20
Green Bay Packers @ Washington 8:30 PM ET NBC
Aaron Rodgers is not taking criticism of him criticizing the Packers and his subtle digs at head coach Mike McCarthy very well. Will this wake up the Packers or will their struggles continue and the locker room grow more divided? Washington is a good team, but they aren’t that much better than Green Bay. I think the Packers finally pull it together and a win.
Prediction: Packers 27 Washington 23
Coming up Monday: Sunday week 11 NFL reaction and recap plus MNF preview
